Radiator cap



I. Math-20,1928. 1,663,054

A. C. LIPPERT RADIATOR CAP Filed. Auz. 11. 1924 Patented Mar. 20, 1928.

warren stares PATENT QFFHQE.

ALOYSI'US C. LIPPERT, F KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE v ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NOBLIPP COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORA- 'IION OF ILLINOIS.

RADIATOR'CAP.

Application filed August 11, 1924; Serial No. 731,291.

My invention relates to radiator caps for automobiles and the like, and has for aprimary object the provision of an improved locl ing device for preventing theft of the cap or the motometer carried thereby by unauthorized removal of the cap from the radiator neck.

In U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,47 2,878, granted on November 6, 1923, to Aloysius C. Lippert and John A. Sinko, a radiator cap construction involving the use of a relatively light and inexpensive insert, or inner attaching collar, made of brass or other bendable material, is shown andthe present invention isparticularly adapted to a radlator cap using this form of insert, though it will be evident that, from certain aspects, it is not limited to use with an insert of any particular form or material.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a radiator cap, of inexpensive yet sturdy and efficient constructlon, which can be provided at a price which will render them practical for small cars and which will be capable of withstanding hard service without breakage or disturbance of proper relationship of the parts.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation,'partially broken away and shown in" section, of a radiator cap in which my invention is embodied, the same being shown in position upon the radiator of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially upon the section line 2-2 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view, taken upon the section line 33 in Fig. 1.

As thus illustrated, the radiator cap provided by my invention comprises an outer body 11, which has tapered arms 12 extending from the opposite sides thereof, said arms terminating in round balls 13 and the body of the cap being adapted to be locked to the radiator neck by means of an inserted member 14, a hinged cover 15 being provided to permit filling of the radiator with water,

A motometer 16 is carried by the cover 15, being preferably locked thereto in permanent manner, and it will be evident that inv providedi'nithe upper part of the body to cooperate with said cover in producing a tight fit. Said gasket has a flange; 19 extending into a circumferential recess 21 in the upper interior part ofthe cap body ll,

the inner faces of the gasket being beveled and the lower extension 22 thereof being adapted to fit withina ledgev 23 formed on.

the top of the insert 14., 7 I

Said insert 14 is provided with a threaded portion 24 at the lower end thereof adapted to cooperate with a threaded portion .25 of the radiator neck to secure said cap in place, it being obvious that, in any event, if the radiator neck is externally threaded, as is sometimes the case, the insert would be internally threaded and the outer body 11 ex- 7 tended downwardly to prevent anysubstantial portion" of the insert being accessible vfrom the exterior.

It is intended that the parts of thefcap' maybe assembled 7 prior to positioning upon the ear and that the outer body 11 and insert 14 may be connected together to form a single unit when the cap is beingscrewed onto the radiator, but that the outer cap; body shall be relatively movable with respect to the insert when turned in the opposite'direction so that the insert cannot be unscrewed by mere turning ofthe outer body after the cap has been placed upon the car. For the purpose of causing the parts to turn together when the cap is screwed down, I provide a ratchet device comprising a metal strip 26, folded upon itself and laid in a recess 27 formed in the exterior of the insert 14, said strip 26 being of resilient mamain in position independently of pressure exerted upon the exposed portions of the cap.

For the purpose of preventing separation of the cap body 11 and insert 14:, I provide a groove 32 on the upper'part of said insert 14, exteriorly thereof, and insertsmall pieces of wire or rod 33 in openings. 34 in the outer body ll', said rods extending into the groove-32 at a tangent with respect to the inseam; The outer enclsof the rods 33am rounded, as indicated at 35, so that they are fl usli \vith'tlie periphery 'of the body 11' and cannot be reniopve'dby means which are ordina'ri-ly available after they have been inser'tedl Also, they are held in place by a drive fit which prevents them from coming out. The inner ends of said rods extend into'jthe'material of the body 11,as indicated at-36-',"beyond'the lockingportions 37 thereof, an d fsfai'd locking portions are disposed tangentiallyin the groove 32 throughout a considerable'porti'on of'their length so that the gartsll and 14. are held securely in assemled relationship, 7

Itisthought'that'the invention and many of its attendant advantages'will be understood from the foregoingdescription, and

'it'wil'l be ap'paren't'that'various vchangesmay be made jin'the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, Without departing fronjrthe' spirit and scope ofth'efinvention,

. or sacrificing all of its material advantages,

the form hereinbefore described being merely apreferred embodiment thereof.

I claim"? 7 1; A radiator cap, comprising van inner member attachable to the radiatorneck' of 1 an automobile or the like, an'outer m'ember enclosing said inner membeig acover hinged to' said outer member, a motometer permanen'tlyse'cured to said'co'ver, and means extending in throughsaid outer member and arranged 'tangentla-lly to said inner member 7 for' securin'g said members together against theft; 1 r p I 2. radiator cap, comprising an inner member attachable to the radiator neck of said outer member and extending tangentially between said members for locking the same together in non-separable relationship.

3; A radiator cap, comprising an inner member attachable to the radiator neck of an automobileor the like, anouter member'em closing said inner member, a cover hinged to Saidouter member and adapted to carry an auxiliary device, and means disposed in said outer member and extending tangentially betweensaid members for locking the same together" in non-separable, though relatively rotatable, relationship;

4. A radiator cap, comprising an inner memberjatta'chable to the radiator neck of an automobile or the like, anouter member enclosing said inner member, a cover hinged to said outer member and adapted to carry an auxiliary device, and means'disposed tangentially betiveen said members for locking the same together in non-separable relationship, saidmeans being insertable through said outer member, but" not Withdra'wable from. the exterior thereof.

5. A radiator cap, comprising an inner member attachable to the radiator neck of an automobile or thelilre, an outer member enclos ng said inner. member, a cover hinged to said outer member and adapted to carry an auxiliary device, and means disposedtam gei'itially between said members for locking thefsame together in non-separable relationship, said means comprising an elongated member-carried in the outer member and engageable' in a groove in theinner member, thus providinga. substantial'extent of con tact and holtlingthe members securely in assembled relationship.

6. A radiator cap comprising an outer sleeve,1a bendable tubular memberdisposed within said sleeve-and having means for attachment-to the threaded filling openin'g of a radiator neck' said member havii'ig a horizontal groove rolled therein, anda horizontally disposed locking member carried by the sleeve and engaging insa'id groove to loclf thecap against theft. 1 A

AEOYSIUS C. LIPPERT. 

